Four reasons to visit the Family Justice Center

Making the decision to seek help when caught in a violent relationship can be one of the hardest decisions in someone’s life. At the Greene County Family Justice Center, we strive to make it as easy as possible for anyone to access the help and services they need to get out of an intimate partner violence situation. Read on for a few of the reasons why you should visit the Family Justice Center if you need help.

1. Victim-centered services with a personal Navigator

All visitors to the Family Justice Center are provided their own Navigator, a community-based advocate who will help them access available services. The Navigator aids in assessing a client’s needs and then connects them with requested agency partners and services we offer. The Navigator accompanies the client during all services to provide a central point of contact for clients.

2. Confidential and free of charge

All services at the Greene County Family Justice Center are confidential to protect our visitors and free of charge so that anyone in the community may access these valuable and lifesaving services. Any information shared with a Navigator will be held in confidence and cannot be shared. This privilege is even protected by law. Although members of Springfield Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are on site, they cannot collect any of your information from Family Justice Center records or staff without your written consent.

3. Everything you may need in one location

The Greene County Family Justice Center offers services from many on-site, community partners in one safe location. We pride ourselves in maintaining close working relationships among all collaborators/agencies so that we can be the best advocate for everyone who needs our services.

4. Empowerment

At the Family Justice Center we strive to make sure someone seeking help is comfortable with how they are helped and at what pace. While our navigators and partner agencies can advise next steps, our clients best understand their personal situation. For instance, we help develop a tailored safety plan to fit each person’s circumstances. Also, victims seeking assistance are not required to speak with law enforcement or required or pressured to file a police report. Services are offered voluntarily and it’s up to the victim to decide what services they would like to utilize.

About GCFJC

The Greene County Family Justice Center is a non-profit collaborative of local agencies offering comprehensive services to survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence. Our services are trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and we welcome survivors at any point in their process. We partner with local non-profit service providers as well as local law enforcement, the Prosecutor’s office, and Children’s Division to make victim services more accessible and completely voluntary. If you do not want to participate in the criminal justice process, we support you.

Our vision is a future where we all work together to meet the needs of domestic violence and human trafficking survivors through comprehensive and accessible services, education and perpetrator accountability. Through a coordinated framework and co-located response, we strive to break the vicious generational cycle and community impact of domestic violence and resulting victimizations.

We can help you plan for your safety whether you plan to stay in the relationship, or you are actively trying to escape. All of our services are free, confidential and survivor centered. Have questions about what services are available? Visit us at 1418 E. Pythian Street or give us a call at 417-874-2600. We are open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. For after-hours assistance, call the Harmony House/Victim Center’s 24-hour safe line at 417-864-SAFE (7233). If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.